[Novel] True Sangheili (Part 39 available!) ~ 18 December

SCHOLAR, SOLDIER, HERETIC... SAVIOUR.
At first, the life of a warrior in the Covenant army seems a noble one. But are the motives behind the war with the humans as innocent as the Sangheili, Sorran, believes? An act of heresy unveils a conspiracy spanning thousands of years, which could bring about the total ruin of the Covenant.
[i]
True Sangheili[/i], from the fan fiction author of [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=31052475]Halo 3: Insurrection[/url] and [url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=27927918]Memoirs of an ODST[/url].
[u]
==[b]CHAPTER LISTING[/b]==[/u]
[b]Book I[/b] ([url=http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B4iUh3dauqsjN2QzMjBjYzQtZGE2Ny00ZDUzLThlZTQtNDIwMDJjYTBjNTk3&hl=en]PDF[/url])
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356#35203356]Prologue + Chapter list[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356#35203379]Part One - Sorran[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356#35253886]Part Two - Warrior[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356#35297818]Part Three - Besieged[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356#35673800]Part Four - Into Custody[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true#36184265]Part Five - Interrogated[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=2#36420291]Part Six - Assessment[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=2#36697145]Part Seven - Covert Extraction[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=2#37436099]Part Eight - To kill a Demon[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=3#37531866]Part Nine - Immortal Repentance[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=3#37685366]Part Ten - Insertion[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=3#37728386]Part Eleven - To show mercy[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=4#37912997]Part Twelve - Heresy, of the greatest kind[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=4#37970850]Part Thirteen - Trial and Punishment[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=5#38158685]Part Fourteen - Factions within Factions[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=6#38396722]Part Fifteen - The Truth[/url]
[b]Book II[/b]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=7#39673575]Part Sixteen - Life goes on[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=7#39888838]Part Seventeen - Things never go according to plan[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=9#41709559]Part Eighteen - The sound of battle[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=10#43058906]Part Nineteen - Old habits die hard[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&viewreplies=true&postRepeater1-p=10#43585008]Part Twenty - Cultural differences[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=11#49109093]Part Twenty One - Personified Death[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=12#50885734]Part Twenty Two - Breaking Point[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=14#51826058]Part Twenty Three - Turnabout[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=19#54241416]Part Twenty Four - Breaking free[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=21#55868885]Part Twenty Five - Mutiny[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=23#57570727]Part Twenty Six - Skirmishes, and Reflections[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=24#58101291]Part Twenty Seven - Shrouded Heresy[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=24#58896376]Part Twenty Eight - Signs and Portents[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=25#59170042]Part Twenty Nine -Parted Reunion[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=26#60763537]Part Thirty - Honour[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=29#62705377]Part Thirty One - Visitations to the past[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=30#63447045]Part Thirty Two - Loss concealed within victory[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=32#63843302]Part Thirty Three - The best intentions[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=34#64909520]Part Thirty Four -The Tower came crashing down.[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=38#66761388]Part Thirty Five - Blood runs thick, brotherhood runs thicker.[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=42#68771851]Part Thirty Six - For whom the bell tolls, for whom hell calls.[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=45#70648196]Part Thirty Seven - Daggers in a cloak.[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=50#73021323]Part Thirty Eight - Gods and their weapons.[/url]
[url=http://www.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356&postRepeater1-p=53#76375771]Part Thirty Nine - Trials of Delphi.[/url]
[i]Next chapter ETA: Valve Time[/i]
**** ***** ***** ****** *****
[b]Prologue[/b]
[i]Edict of the Most High Prophet of Truth, 9th Age of Reclamation.[/i]
By the authority of the noble Prophets of Truth, Regret, and Mercy.
Henceforth, any and all battle worthy Sangheili are to be transferred from any idle posts in High Charity and/or upon any Covenant held world/ship into the active combat. Those amongst the excused are the Honour Guard, the Councillors, and the mentally ill, physically unfit, and the old. Female Sangheili are, as always, prohibited from taking part in any military action.
Any Sangheili engaged in a guard post, other than the Honour Guard, will be replaced by the Jiralhanae until such a time as the High Council deems otherwise. Any Jiralhanae in question of where they now stand shall direct all enquiries to Tartarus, Chieftain of the Jirahanae.
Failure to adhere to this edict will result in death. No exceptions. These are trying times, my brothers. The Human infidels persist in resisting the might of the Covenant. Rest assured, this 'war' as some are calling it, will be over soon -- to be forgotten and dismissed as an insignificant event in Covenant history.
[Edited on 12.17.2012 5:35 PM PST]

Here is a little teaser of what's coming next.
"That was amazing!" Ahkrin moaned as Tartarus made one last heavy against Ahkrins anus.
"You're amazing..." the brute whispered into Ahkrins ear
"I wonder what the babies will look like", Ahkrin wondered aloud as he peeled himself of the stick purple floor.
"Good question", Tartarus grunted, "We'll probably need to burn all of them though."

Being introduced to this through an anonymous person on YouTube, I decided to check is out. The past two days have been almost non- stop reading. I was instantly addicted. Learning that Wolvers is taking a break feels like a dagger in the back. So many questions to be answered. Will Zharn and Sorran meet together again, in what I hope is an emotional scene? Will Descol'ee fend off Tartarus and his murderous brutes? What are the human's hiding on Harvest? Hurry back Wolvers! We will all miss you and this amazing story!

“[i]Heeeey[/i]! You’re not a dead person!”
Startled by the Oracles exclamation, the Jiralhanae fell back into Jeann’ee. Collapsing under the brutes weight, Jeann’ee’s bones made an audible crack as the two fell to the floor.
“He’s out cold”, Tartarus grunted. The brute picked himself up off the floor and turned to Ahkrin.
“What’s this all about, [i]lobster[/i]?”
“Ooh, ooh, a guessing game. Let me play!” The Oracle bobbed between the two as it spoke.
“Who cares, kiss me you hairy bastard”, Ahkrins voice trembled with excitement as he approached Tartarus.
“What are you—“, the brutes eyes widened with surprise.
The two met on top of the glowing pedestal the Oracle had just arisen from. At first, they struggled to make their tongues meet, however eventually The Jiralhanae submitted to Ahkrin, permitting him to wrap his mandibles around his bald head while their tongues slide against the other. They remained this way for some time before Ahkrin finally released his grip around Tartarus’ head. The two collapsed to the ground. Both of them, grinning from ear to ear…
Sorry I haven’t had much time to work on this, guys, been busy at the club and exercising. Hopefully this will hold everyone over until I have proper time to finish a chapter.

Well, it's pretty clear that posting fan fiction on Bungie.next is impractical due to the chronology if nothing else. I'll continue writing this, but unless Bungie make a change after the Beta it's unlikely I'll be posting it on this site. It'll continue on fanfiction.net; I'll update the story there to Ch. 39 and carry on from there.
If anyone wants to read the current chapters in the meantime, there's a complete archive on the old Bnet [url=http://halo.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=35203356]here.[/url] With the intended formatting and structure.
Stand firm in this... 'exchange of hats.' Ch. 40 ETA is March.

[quote][b]Posted by:[/b] vI RaGeZ Iv
[quote]Puis laughed, and moved to show Sorran out. They reached the door, and it opened to reveal a scarcely populated hangar bay with no aircraft save for a seraph in poor repair, and the banshee that would soon be Sorran's.
"I'd appreciate it," he said from the door, as Sorran walked down the stairs. "Oh, and Sorran?"
"Yes?" Sorran asked, pausing in his tracks. There was a silence between them for a few moments, and finally Puis spoke.
"This is awkward, but I was just sent a general alert and... well, you wouldn't happen to be the same Sorran wanted by the sanctum for High Councillor Restraint's murder, would--"
Sorran drew out his gun and threw himself back towards Puis, jamming the pistol in the man's neck and driving him back inside the office. Puis simply stared at him with calm.
[/quote]
This is now among my most favorite moments of all books I've ever read; ever.
Amazing work, Wolvers! [/quote]I finally took the time to read through the chapter. This section of the book put a smile on my face, something the Kilo 5 trilogy could never manage!
Oh and I just scrolled down after reading that post... only to find 2 more huge posts. D:
Edit:
That depiction of the Prophet of Mercy tells me that Halo 2 didn't flesh him out enough. He was somewhat ambiguous in the game but is solemn in this!
[Edited on 12.23.2012 10:28 PM PST]

Just finished the chapter. Excellent piece of writing. What's interesting is that I have noticed a lot of differences in your writing style. Your style of writing has almost matured in a way when compared to your original pieces.

That was a last-minute inclusion, because I felt Sorran needed a scene to get him on his way this chapter. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thinking of making a True Sangheili/Wolverfrog account on Twitter, purely for the purposes of sending everyone an alert when a new chapter's posted (which I'm guessing can be done, I don't use it personally). After a near sixth month wait, understandably people won't be checking for a new chapter every day and so I feel it'd be quite useful in the future, so you don't miss it.
Don't know how many of you guys use Twitter but if enough of you wouldn't mind following an account for that reason, I'd be happy to make one. Let me know.
[Edited on 12.19.2012 4:23 PM PST]

[quote]Puis laughed, and moved to show Sorran out. They reached the door, and it opened to reveal a scarcely populated hangar bay with no aircraft save for a seraph in poor repair, and the banshee that would soon be Sorran's.
"I'd appreciate it," he said from the door, as Sorran walked down the stairs. "Oh, and Sorran?"
"Yes?" Sorran asked, pausing in his tracks. There was a silence between them for a few moments, and finally Puis spoke.
"This is awkward, but I was just sent a general alert and... well, you wouldn't happen to be the same Sorran wanted by the sanctum for High Councillor Restraint's murder, would--"
Sorran drew out his gun and threw himself back towards Puis, jamming the pistol in the man's neck and driving him back inside the office. Puis simply stared at him with calm.
[/quote]
This is now among my most favorite moments of all books I've ever read; ever.
Amazing work, Wolvers!

"Perhaps you should take your nose out from your books more often, seer. Our Covenant is changing; the Sangheili will not have their power for much longer, I guarantee--"
"[i]So let us cast our arms aside, and like discard our wrath. Thou in faith will keep us safe, whilst we find the path.[/i] You know these words, brute?" the philologist asked, quoting scripture like it was a second language.
"The Writ of Union," the Jiralhanae answered almost immediately.
"A Writ we signed many thousands of years ago, with the Sangheili. [i]Not[/i] the Jiralhanae. The San 'Shyuum seek the sacred rings, and the Sangheili protect us. It has always been so, and will always be so. You and all the other races but are guests of our peoples' Journey, and should show respect to the Sangheili as well; not just the prophets."
"Holy seer, I have nothing but the utmost reverence for our holy crusade and the prophets who guide us, but the Sangheili--"
"Fall back some, brute; I have tired of you. And leave this Sangheili next to me. He's manacled, and I'm sure that barbaric weapon of yours will work just as well from a short distance as it will jammed into his back. That is a clerical command."
"By your word, philologist," the Jiralhanae muttered reluctantly, shooting Jeann'ee a venomous look before falling behind them several metres. The philologist glided closer to Jeann'ee, seemingly unafraid of a man branded as a criminal.
"When you reach my age, you stop fearing the possibility of harm so much," the philologist said to him, as if reading his mind. "I am interested to hear your side of the story, Sangheili. What is your name?"
"Kal Jeann'ee. Well, that is the name my mother gave me. As a bastard, I am forbidden to use the name of my noble father's house."
"Do not be embarrassed of that, my son. You could not change the happenstance of your birth; your father begot you upon one who was not his wife. That is his shame, not yours. Now tell me; why do these Jiralhanae name you a criminal?"
"Well, I am one," Jeann'ee confessed, feeling no reason to lie. "I sort of helm High Charity's underground. But that's not why these Jiralhanae are here. They're after Descol'ee."
"Your absent friend causing so much trouble," the philologist filled in. "Do you know why?"
"Descol'ee sought me out just less than a week ago, seeking sanctuary from the Covenant. He told me the High Councillor Restraint had been murdered, and that he could prove Truth had been the one to order the deed."
"A matter of politics, then," the philologist sighed. "They all slit each others throats up there, but it's rare they leave behind evidence that can be pinned on them. I imagine Truth has sent these Jiralhanae then, to clean up his mess."
"It must be so," Jeann'ee surmised. "And I've been caught up on his treachery. Of all the crimes I thought I'd one day die for, helping Ahkrin Descol'ee was never one of them."
"But why are you here?" the philologist pressed. "Why did you want to see the Oracle?"
"I don't know why Descol'ee wants to see him," Jeann'ee shrugged. [i]And I don't think I'll reveal my own motivations for coming to this dreadnought just yet.[/i] "Simple curiosity is the reason I'm here. Hearing the Oracle speak was a prospect I couldn't pass up."
"An understandable wish," the philologist said. "But a foolhardy one. The Oracle does not speak, and he has never done so. As I said, he has matters more pressing than our own mortal ones. Kal Jeann'ee, you seem a good sort regardless of your deeds. I will try my best to have the brutes spare your life, but if the sanctum declares otherwise then there is little I can do. My reach does not exert far outside these halls."
"Thank you, seer," Jeann'ee said back, and he meant it. "Even if your efforts fail, I will appreciate them all the same."
They stopped at an elevator, and the Jiralhanae caught up. He gave them both a suspicious glance, before grunting and swaggered onto the disc. The elevator was caught by an anti-gravity beam, and began to steadily rise.
"This will take us to the Oracle?" the brute demanded of the philologist bluntly, still upset over being dismissed so readily.
"He is sealed in a special chamber, behind the isolation bolt. This elevator leads almost directly to it."
"Good. The sooner the dreadnought's guns are activated, the better. I cannot breathe easy knowing the humans are so close, with us vulnerable."
"How do you think I feel, with you pointing that monstrosity at me?" Jeann'ee asked pointedly, eyeing the spiker rifle that was so close to his face he could smell the blood stained on it. He brought up his chained hands. "I am bound, what are you so scared of?"
"I would not be scared of a maggot like you even if you were armed to the teeth," the Jiralhanae swore, but he lowered his weapon all the same.
The elevator stopped, opening up into a long hallway. A barrier glimmered fiercely at the end of it, its blinding light dominating the room. The three of them stepped out and began to walk towards it.
"This is the isolation bolt you spoke of?" the Jiralhanae asked of the philologist, who nodded slowly. "Can you disable it?"
"Yes," the philologist replied. "But if I do, you must surrender this Sangheili over to my authority. I will have the dreadnought's guards process him accordingly, and by the book."
A great frown descended upon the Jiralhanae's face, and Jeann'ee was shot a filthy glare. The beast scowled, and threw up his hands in submission.
"Fine, if it pleases you so. This one means nothing to us; make him your steward for all I care. Until we're gone though, he remains bound."
"That is fair enough," the philologist agreed. "I will open the bolt--"
The San 'Shyuum cut off mid-sentence, mouth hanging ajar. The Jiralhanae looked at him with puzzlement, and then through the slightly translucent light of the bolt. His blood-red eyes widened in surprise, teeth baring in anger.
"Packmaster, you need to get up here," the Jiralhanae spoke urgently into his communicator, not taking his eyes of the bolt. "Now. It's him. No, I don't know how!"
[i]If it were any other, I wouldn't believe my eyes,[/i] Jeann'ee marveled, a grin breaking across his face. Through the haze of the isolation bolt, a figure was bent over the Oracle's pedestal. At the Jiralhanae's voice, the figure turned around, and their eyes met.
Behind the barrier, Ahkrin winked. And in a sudden wash of gentle green, the Oracle came to life.
[Edited on 12.17.2012 4:31 PM PST]

[i]We're fuc­ked.[/i]
Jeann'ee had never been one for field work; he could plan, he could order, but he couldn't [i]do.[/i] He didn't know how to break out of the bone-crushing grip one of Tartarus' brutes had locked him in, nor where to strike with a knife, or even interpret their body language. Moreover, he didn't know how to surprise the panic building inside him. All he could do was listen, and hope he thought of a way out of this. Tartarus was speaking to the philologist once more, who seemed a little more lucid now he'd been stirred from his elderly daze.
"You are certain the Oracle is disconnected from the ship?" he spoke down to the elderly prophet. The philologist was in a gravity chair, unable to otherwise keep pace with the Jiralhanae - even Jeann'ee was struggling to match their long strides, and found himself shoved roughly onwards when he fell behind. He'd been with their kind before - worked with them - but Tartarus' pack were something else; each stood at least two heads taller than him, and vein-popping muscle could be seen even through the thick shaggy brown and black coats they all wore. He didn't doubt one could knock his head off with a swipe.
"The sanctum placed him behind an isolation-bolt," the philologist finally answered, and when Tartarus frowned decided to further elaborate. "A lock, effectively cutting the Oracle from anything technological even if he should be reactivated."
"If it interfaces with the ship, it could try and leave again. It would tear High Charity apart, and leave us defenceless."
"The Oracle is not an 'it!" the philologist snapped, and seemed to rise a few feet in that moment. "He is the instrument of our lords, and you will show him the proper respect."
To Jeann'ee surprise, Tartarus didn't bite the San 'Shyuum's head off in response. Instead, the elder brute inclined his head with respect.
"My apologies, seer. It was not my intent to blaspheme."
"Forgiven, my son," the philologist replied, reverting back to that fatherly tone he seemed to live in. The prophet then looked back, and his milky eyes locked with Jeann'ee's. He spoke again to Tartarus. "What will you do with your prisoner?"
"What do you think?" Tartarus huffed, and the promise of death was held in that exhalation.
"Not in the keyship," the philologist dictated in no uncertain terms. "You will not sully these holy grounds with your brutality."
"As you wish, seer. We will dispose of them elsewhere."
[i]Wonderful. At least our deaths won't upset the Forerunners.[/i] Jeann'ee tried to distract himself from impending death by looking at the halls they walked past; he'd never seen the inside of the dreadnought, and was disappointed by the reality. It looked little different to any Covenant ship he'd seen save for deviation in aesthetics and materials. There were corridors, glyphs, overhangs, doorways. It all looked very... mortal. He didn't have long to ponder this, for what the philologist said next interrupted everyone's train of thought.
"Them?" the philologist quizzed. "But you only have the one prisoner."
It was as though the world went silent, even the ship. Tartarus frowned into widened eyes, his muzzle hung ajar and his fists clenched as he spun around, looking first at Jeann'ee and then the space several yards behind him.
Ahkrin was gone, and so were his two escorts. The Jiralhanae who had been directly in front of them stood frozen, wondering how they hadn't noticed their absence. Tartarus pushed through his pack and looked around wildly, as if he'd find Descol'ee hiding behind one of them.
"Find him!" Tartarus roared, a bellow that seemed almost sacrilegious in the otherwise tranquil halls. "Find Descol'ee, and bring me his head!"
[i]I love you, Descol'ee,[/i] Jeann'ee thought, fighting to stave off a grin. Perhaps Tartarus saw something dancing in his eyes though, because in the next instant the chieftain shot a hand out at his neck and nearly lifted him from the ground.
"Where is he?" Tartarus demanded, spittle hitting Jeann'ee in the face. He kept his mandibles tightly shut, terrified of the foul-smelling saliva getting into his mouth.
"I don't know," he said, once the bombardment had ceased. "Knowing Descol'ee, probably in the one place he can cause you the most trouble."
Tartarus roared again, and threw him to one side. Another Jiralhanae stopped him from flattening against the bulkhead, wrapping a tree-trunk sized arm around his neck. The others in the pack had fanned out through the ship in a searching formation, chattering amongst each other in their languages of hoots and calls.
The philologist was examining all the chaos with a disapproving expression, as if he disliked the racket the brutes were making in the gods' vessel. Jeann'ee worried the prophet would say something to Tartarus - in his rage, the brute might forget his place and strike out.
"Packmaster, we've found two bodies. Titus and Perseph," a shout came, some hundred metes further down.
[i]Perseph, no [/i]-us[i] suffix. Not even a fully grown man, then.[/i] Jeann'ee felt a little sorry for the dead youth, robbed of life before his prime. But it was hard to keep any lingering upset over the killing of a brute.
"How were they killed?" Tartarus yelled back; interestingly, the Jiralhanae seemed to dislike using communicators when possible. A remnant of their pre-Covenant aversion to technology, perhaps. Bombing yourselves back to the dark ages would do that.
Jeann'ee zoned out as the Jiralhanae relayed back the details; broken spine, snapped neck, both deaths instantaneous; classic Descol'ee. Tartarus seemed to take the ease with which his men had been dispatched as a personal insult.
"I'll look for him myself," the elder brute decided, drawing out his stone hammer and lumbering down the halls. He turned back to the philologist and the Jiralhanae who held Jeann'ee. "Carry on to the Oracle, but do not enter without me. [i]I[/i] will be the one to speak with Him. If you see Descol'ee, kill him."
Jeann'ee's captor nodded, and pushed him ahead, wielding his gun like a cattle prod. The Jiralhanae turned to the philologist.
"Lead on, seer. The humans could attack at any moment, we must activate the dreadnought's weapons."
As they walked, the philologist took a contemptuous sniff.
"You think the oracle will do that?" the philologist asked. "He is not a computer program to be ordered around, he is an Oracle. They serve none but the Forerunners. You will have to activate the weapons manually."
"That will take days!" the Jiralhanae whispered harshly. "Time we do not have. The Oracle could activate them instantly - he will comply, or when the station falls he will perish along with it."
"By all means, try," the philologist surrendered as he glided beside them. "But don't be disappointed if he does not stir; his concerns are greater than our mortal affairs."
"Then why do we venerate him?" Jeann'ee wondered. "If he cares not for our Covenant's future, then he is no oracle."
"That's heresy!" the Jiralhanae behind him growled, and Jeann'ee braced himself for a slap about the head. Before he could, the philologist put up a hand.
"Blind acceptance is heresy, brute," the aged San 'Shyuum disagreed. "Our Lords did not want us to follow all they left behind without question; they left us tests, that we might prove ourselves worthy - the holy warriors who guard their treasures; the parasite. Perhaps that their oracles are so tight-lipped is no less a crucible."
[i]A crucible I intend to surmount,[/i] Jeann'ee vowed, wondering if he'd get a chance to speak with the oracle himself. [i]Come on, Descol'ee.[/i]
Had Ahkrin just left him? Abandoned his own reasons for seeking the oracle and fled with his life? [i]I know we're not friends anymore, in the strictest sense, but surely he wouldn't leave me to these brutes?[/i]
His Jiralhanae captor stole a glance at the philologist and, confident the San 'Shyuum was out of hearing-range, leaned in to whisper in Jeann'ee's ear.
"As soon as the Oracle brings the dreadnought online, we're going to take you home and torture every last morsel of information out of you," the brute promised him, and Jeann'ee felt a shiver go down his spine. "You will tell us where Restraint's last guard is, and where he's taken the former-hierarch's data."
"Last guard?" Jeann'ee wondered, trying to keep fear out of his voice. "You mean that boy, Sorran? I have no idea where he has gone. Ahkrin might have had a notion, but it seems like he's slipped your net."
"The assassin will either give himself up, or we'll tear you limb from limb."
"You're holding the completely wrong man hostage," Jeann'ee told the Jiralhanae, and he would have laughed if his life hadn't been in such perilous danger. "He'd probably pay to watch that."
"Then why are you here together?"
"I was in the souvenir shop, he was looking for the nearest public toilet. We were just exchanging pleasantries when you all strolled in."
"Funny," the Jiralhanae answered in a tone which said he hadn't found it funny at all. "Philologist, are you quite sure I can't kill this one here? Surely the Forerunners find its griping more offensive than a bit of blood."
"If you want the Oracle to grant you a boon, defiling his sanctuary is not the way to go about it," the philologist impressed. "We have prisons. Why not throw him in one? The last I knew, Jiralhanae did not have permission to kill Sangheili as they saw fit."

"As for friends," Orpheus continued thoughtfully, "he's not exactly a friendly person. Outside his two Sangheili brothers, he keeps most at a distance. And now both of them dead... I worry he'll fall back into his criminal ways without their influence."
"He was a criminal?" Grymar'ee questioned sharply.
"If there's a law, chances are he's broken it at some point. Or forced the Covenant to create new laws. He used to be an assassin-for-hire, with Relic's Shadow."
[i]Relic... there could be something there,[/i] Grymar'ee realised then, thinking back on all the crime reports he'd ever read about High Charity.
"That cult was eradicated years ago," Grymar'ee lectured the Jiralhanae, pacing in thought. "But one of their lieutenants founded another syndicate, which by all reports controls the underworld of High Charity. I've had petitions to wipe it out, but the hierarchs tolerate its presence - better thieves and killers are bound by a creed than renegade. If Ahkrin was truly in the Relic, then he must have contacts there."
"Do you know where they're based?" Orpheus asked. Grymar'ee shrugged with nonchalance.
"Most everyone does. They all but have a blessing from the hierarchs; the constabulary don't touch them. I think it'd be our best bet to find your friend, but it'll be dangerous."
"What isn't on this accursed station? Is it far?"
"Not especially, but a vehicle wouldn't go amiss. I saw a depot of spectres as we came into the district. I think we can take one."
"A roadtrip," Orpheus smiled slightly, walking with Grymar'ee towards the district's exit. "Glad to see we've made such good friends already."
[i]That remains to be seen.[/i]
*
"I cannot thank you enough for this," Puis said once again, taking Sorran's hand and shaking it firmly. "I'll have my men enact this new evacuation protocol you've drawn up instantly."
"It was no trouble," Sorran replied, feeling no small satisfaction in the man's gratitude. "Truth be told, it was good to know my skills as a thinker haven't been dulled by the toils of war."
"If you ever tire of the honour guard, you would make a brilliant commander," Puis told him sincerely. "I've met Imperial Admirals less able to think under pressure than you."
"I don't think I'd make a good Imperial Admiral," Sorran disagreed, smiling. "I hate shouting." [i]And I'm not exactly on great terms with the Covenant right now.[/i]
"A pity," Puis replied absently, moving back to his console and manipulating the hard-light screen it projected. "Support for this war is ailing; it could use more decent men like you. "
"I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm content to spend my days serving my minister," Sorran said, putting an end to the discussion. "Now, about that banshee I mentioned..."
Puis looked up, looking as though he was wrestling with a decision.
"It's yours," he decided finally, smiling. "Your new protocol will do more good than one banshee could have ever done. I'd be a little happier if you'd tell me why you need it."
"Business of the guard," Sorran lied deftly. "It's nothing serious, but I'd be breaking my oath if I divulged my minister's personal business."
"I understand," Puis said, sounding a little disappointed. The major fished around at his side, and threw an object to Sorran. He caught it and held it up for inspection; a set of keys.
"Banshee's parked out in the back. No one else is out there aside from a few Huragok; they won't bother you."
"You have my thanks, Puis. You're doing a good job here, keep at it. If the sanctum do not promote you after this, I will have my minister write them a scalding letter."
Puis laughed, and moved to show Sorran out. They reached the door, and it opened to reveal a scarcely populated hangar bay with no aircraft save for a seraph in poor repair, and the banshee that would soon be Sorran's.
"I'd appreciate it," he said from the door, as Sorran walked down the stairs. "Oh, and Sorran?"
"Yes?" Sorran asked, pausing in his tracks. There was a silence between them for a few moments, and finally Puis spoke.
"This is awkward, but I was just sent a general alert and... well, you wouldn't happen to be the same Sorran wanted by the sanctum for High Councillor Restraint's murder, would--"
Sorran drew out his gun and threw himself back towards Puis, jamming the pistol in the man's neck and driving him back inside the office. Puis simply stared at him with calm.
"You don't know how much I wish you hadn't said that," Sorran told him ruefully, knowing the only way he'd get out of this would be to kill Puis, something he was extremely loath to do.
"I'd look down before doing anything rash," Puis told him in an steady voice. Frowning, Sorran glanced down and saw it. The hilt of an energy sword hilt, inches from his stomach.
"You really do need a promotion," Sorran admired the man's skill.
"And you need to leave, before another constable comes in here and recognises you," Puis told him firmly. Sorran frowned.
"You're letting me go?" he asked, puzzled by the man's actions.
"If you really had killed Restraint as the sanctum says, you wouldn't have taken a few hours out of your evil day to help a constable save some lives," Puis reasoned. "You'd be on the run, and you'd be killing anyone who got in your way. I won't pretend to know what's really going on, and I don't want to know, but I don't think you murdered a High Councillor, Sorran. If I'm wrong, then that guilt will be on my head and I'll have to live with that. But I'm willing to bet that possibility on the belief you didn't."
"I didn't," Sorran affirmed, looking him squarely in the eyes and lowering his weapon. The two stepped away from each other. "I swear to you on my father's grave, Puis."
"You're wasting time," was all Puis said, ushering him back out into the hangar. "Just promise me one thing, okay?"
"What's that?"
"If they catch you, don't mention my name. I have a family to care for."
"Not even with my dying breath," Sorran swore, a little overwhelmed by the trust Puis was putting into him. They walked together towards the banshee.
"Whatever it is you're doing, Sorran, I wish you luck. As I said before, there aren't enough truly decent men in this world. And if you ever sort this mess out, seek me out again. I would know you better, given the chance."
"May that chance come one day," Sorran wished, grasping Puis' hand once more. "Good luck."
"And you."
Sorran clambered into the banshee, his muscle memory recalling simulation and easing onto the controls as if it were instinct. He kicked it alive, and took off through the roof into the skies of High Charity.
*